Fractured (Dividing Line #4) (8 page)

His words struck a chord with Ryan and he nodded. “Me too.”

Ryan was a little more receptive to his prodigal brother and they chatted over lunch. He wasn’t amiability personified but at least he was talking to him willingly without Rachel having to force him. Little did she know he was only talking because he hoped it would get Riley out of their hair quicker, then they could get on with their lives.

Rachel clocked onto his game when Ryan tried to usher Riley out of the house before the kids got home. He knew it would be harder to get rid of him once they were aware of his presence.

“Why don’t we go for a walk?” he suggested to Riley five minutes before the kids were due home.

“Okay,” he replied, pleased with this progress.

“The kids will be back any minute. Don’t you want to meet your niece and nephews?” Rachel said.

“Actually yeah, that would be great,” he smiled.

Her heart went out to him, his grin was adorable, just like his brother’s.

“You don’t want to be thrown in at the deep end. You can meet them later. Let’s go,” said Ryan.

Rachel took Riley’s arm so Ryan couldn’t take him away. “Leave your walk to another time. Besides, it looks like it’s going to rain,” she said, gesturing to the darkening sky. “Another cup of tea Riley?” she offered before Ryan could object.

“Yes please.”

“Ryan?” she said sweetly.

He just pouted and folded his arms across his chest. “I’ve got a phone call to make,” he said before marching into the room they’d converted into an office and closing the door.

A few minutes later the kids ran in with the au pair, full of chatter and giggles, as usual.

“Dad,” grinned Leah as she rushed into the kitchen, throwing her arms around him. She looked up and her smile fell when she saw it wasn’t her dad at all. She released Riley and retreated a few steps. “Who are you?”

“Leah, meet your Uncle Riley, your dad’s brother,” said Rachel.

“But Dad’s brother is Uncle Jez.”

“He’s got another brother, he’s only just found him.”

“How did he lose him?” she frowned.

“We’ll explain when you’re older,” replied Ryan as he entered the room, frowning. His expression softened when Leah hugged him and he kissed the top of her head.

“That one running about like a loonie is Ethan,” Rachel told Riley, gesturing to the boy racing about pretending to be an airplane. “And this is Aaron,” she smiled, scooping up the boy and nuzzling his face with her nose, making him laugh. “Say hello to your Uncle Riley boys.”

“Hello Uncle Riley,” said Ethan while Aaron just babbled incoherently.

“Hello, nice to meet you,” smiled Riley.

“How did Dad lose his brother?” said Leah, refusing to let her question go.

“They didn’t know they were brothers until recently. They had the same dad but different mums,” Rachel replied.

“Oh,” she said in a way that indicated she didn’t fully understand but didn’t want to let them know. “Is he staying here?”

“Yes, in the flat, for as long as he wants,” said Rachel before Ryan could reply, ignoring the frown he cast her.

CHAPTER 9

The arrival of the children took some of the tension off the situation, Ryan choosing to put all his attention on them, leaving Rachel to entertain Riley. Normally Rachel put the boys to bed but Ryan rushed to do it. Leah decided to go up to her room to read and watch some television, leaving the two of them alone.

“Are you in pain?” Rachel asked Riley when they’d all vanished upstairs.

“How do you know?”

“I used to be a nurse. I’ve noticed you’re carrying yourself stiffly and you winced when Ethan hugged you.”

“It’s one reason I’ve got so much time off. I got shot in Afghanistan.”

Memories of Danny dying in her arms returned and she tried not to wince. She pushed the memory away. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, it was just a shoulder wound, sniper bullet.”

“Does it need looking at? If it needs redressing I can help.”

“Actually would you mind taking a look? I think it might have started bleeding again.”

“Why didn’t you say something? Take your shirt off.”

“Will Ryan mind?”

“No, he’ll be fine. He’ll be ages upstairs with the kids anyway and if it’s bleeding it needs sorting.”

“Okay.” he said, blushing when he unfastened his shirt.

Rachel tried not to stare at his body, which was as defined and strong as her husband’s, if slightly more slender. However what drew her attention was the patchwork of scars covering his torso, most of which appeared to be caused by a blade, she counted at least seven separate wounds running from his chest down to his abdomen. She didn’t know much about army life but suspected they hadn’t been obtained in the line of duty. She kept her eyes off the scars and on the bandage, the pristine white of which was marred by a spot of red.

“You’re right, it has started bleeding again. I’ll get some fresh bandages.” She retrieved what she needed from the kitchen and set to work, unwinding the stained bandage. “Did it hit the bone?”

“No, just a flesh wound. Stings a bit though.”

“I’ll be gentle.”

He tried not to think about her fingers touching his bare skin and her warm breath on his neck, desperately wishing he’d sorted out that particular need before coming here. Why did she have to be such a stunner?

“Its been stitched very neatly,” she said once the hole was revealed. “I thought it would be more of a mess being a battlefield injury.”

“We have good medics.”

“I was shot in the shoulder too,” she quietly said as she cleaned away the dried blood.

“I remember, it was big news. Sorry about Danny.”

“Thanks. So you know who me and Ryan used to be?”

“Yes.”

“We’re not like that now, thank God. Everything legal and above board.”

“I’m glad you got yourselves out. I saw that way of life destroy my own family. It ate away at my dad. I know Ryan idolised him but he didn’t have to live with him. He got greedier and greedier until all he cared about was money and power. Family didn’t matter to him anymore.”

Rachel couldn’t help but think of Alex.

“His bullying drove my brother Ian to kill himself, I’m sure of it,” continued Riley. “It’s why I never wanted that life for myself. As soon as I was old enough I joined the army, it was the only thing I ever wanted to do. When Dad realised Ian wasn’t fit to run the family business when he retired he looked to me instead. I had the aggression but I wanted to use it for good. I once saw Dad almost beat someone to death because they owed him a couple of grand. Can you imagine doing that to someone for that amount of money?”

“Not for that amount of money, no,” she replied carefully.

“You’ve got quite the reputation,” he smiled.

“I’m not that woman anymore. Hold still, I’m going to start wrapping the bandage.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting you down. You’ve done some amazing things.”

“And some terrible ones.”

“I respect how you came out the other side.”

“Ryan’s the one to thank for that. I couldn’t have freed myself from it without him.”

“You’ve got a great life now in this beautiful house with those lovely kids. You’re very lucky.”

“I am,” she smiled.

“You will tell me if I’m intruding, won’t you? I don’t want to ruin things for you.”

“I will and you’re not. Just give Ryan some time. Is that too tight?” she said.

“No, it’s fine.”

“What the hell is this?” demanded a voice.

They both looked up to see an angry Ryan framed in the doorway.

“I’m gone fifteen minutes and you’re getting your kit off in front of my wife.”

“Oh for God’s sake Ryan, Riley was bleeding, I was just redressing the wound.”

“What wound?”

“He got shot in Afghanistan by a sniper so why don’t you try and find some compassion?” she frowned, securing the bandage. “There, all done Riley.”

“Thanks, that feels much better,” he said, hastily pulling on his shirt.

“Oh, sorry,” mumbled Ryan. “Is it a bad injury?”

“No, fine.”

“That’s why you’re on leave?”

“It is.”

Rachel watched Ryan wrestle with himself before he grudgingly said, “do you fancy a whisky?”

“Yes please.”

He poured out three glasses and passed them round. “So, a sniper eh?”

“Yep,” replied Riley.

“It’s not life threatening?”

“No, just a flesh wound.”

Rachel had never seen Ryan so socially awkward before, he was usually the essence of cool and suave. Even though she found it endearing she thought it would be best to give the brothers some time alone so when the clock crept round to ten o’clock she decided to leave them to it.

“Right, I’m off to bed.”

“But it’s only early,” said Ryan, trying to keep the panic out of his tone.

“I’m tired,” she replied, feigning a yawn. The look on his face indicated he knew exactly what she was up to. She kissed him. “Goodnight.” Then she turned to Riley. “Goodnight, it’s good to have you here.”

“It’s good to be here.” He looked at Ryan. “I think.”

The two men watched her go then looked at each other and shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“She’s very nice,” he told Ryan.

“I know.”

“You’ve got a good life here.”

“Yes, it’s perfect. I’ve got everything I need.”

“Meaning there’s no room for anyone else?”

Ryan stared into his glass, thinking of Rachel’s words. “There could be,” he eventually replied. “We’ll see.”

“That’s all I can ask.”

“So, what bike do you ride?”

“I like the sports bikes. I’ve got a Honda CBR one thousand.”

“Nice.”

“You?”

“I haven’t ridden for a while, but the last bike I had was a Hayabusa thirteen hundred.”

“They’re fantastic bikes. Why did you give it up?”

“I just couldn’t find the time and I got into cars.” Ryan gave a reluctant smile. “To be honest, I do miss it. I’ll be driving about and think this would be a great road just to let rip.”

“Why don’t you get back into it?”

His smile actually broadened. “I don’t know, I suppose I could.”

“What does Rachel think about motorbikes?”

“I don’t recall her giving an opinion either way. I don’t think she’d mind.”

“I noticed a hire place down the road. Maybe we could go out for a tear-up?”

Ryan didn’t know if it was the whisky or whether he genuinely wanted to do it but the idea appealed to him. “Alright, you’re on.”

“Good,” smiled Riley, feeling himself relax a little.

Rachel stirred when an arm wrapped itself around her waist. “How did it go?” she yawned.

“Not bad actually,” replied Ryan’s voice in her ear.

“You’ve changed your tune.”

“He’s alright. Thanks for making me talk to him.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Rachel?”

“Hmmm?” she purred when he kissed her neck.

“What do you think about motorbikes?”

Beth sighed inwardly, bored to death. She was in one of the swankiest restaurants in Manchester dripping in expensive clothes and jewellery, hair immaculately done but her husband had spent the entire meal jabbering into his mobile phone, to the irritation of the other diners. He’d practically ignored her for the entire meal. Thank God they’d just finished dessert and it was almost time to go. She glanced out of the window at Nick sat in the Bentley waiting to take them home and recalled the kiss they’d shared. That had been two days ago and he hadn’t mentioned it since, just as she’d requested, but she enjoyed reliving it over and over.

“I’ve got a bit of business to attend to. You ready to go?” said Alex, his voice intruding on her very pleasant thoughts.

“Yes. Will you be back tonight?” She didn’t know why she continued to ask but she felt she should make some sort of effort.

“Probably not. Looks like it’ll be an all-nighter.”

Beth just nodded. To be honest, it was a relief. When he wasn’t around she was happier.

They left the restaurant and Nick got out of the car to open the door for them. Alex got in first and scooted to the far side of the back seat.

“Thanks,” Beth coyly told Nick, who gave her his lovely lopsided smile. Her eyes caught his and excitement shot through her. Then she recalled her dangerous husband waiting in the car and hastily got in.

“Drop me at The Wherry Tavern,” Alex ordered him. “Then you can take Beth home.”

“Okay,” said Nick, starting the engine.

Beth cringed. She hated how Alex treated him like his chauffeur. She wasn’t so naïve that she didn’t know Nick was a dangerous man too, that he had a dark past and was probably capable of much more than driving and it puzzled her as to why Alex treated him so basely.

They drove in silence, Alex preoccupied, staring out of the window, ensuring he left as big a gap as possible between himself and his wife. It made Beth sad, they used to be so in love and she couldn’t quite work out where it had gone wrong but they could never go back. She’d found herself trapped in a dead marriage and it was becoming increasingly suffocating.

It was a relief when Alex got out of the car, calling a curt ‘bye’ at her over his shoulder. When the door closed behind him Beth breathed a sigh of relief.

As he pulled away from the kerb Nick’s soft eyes caught hers in the rear-view mirror. “Home?”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“How was dinner?” he said as he drove.

“Fine. I had the salmon.”

“You ate it all?”

“Not that it’s any business of yours but yes, I did.”

“Good. I just want you to be happy.”

She gave him a gentle smile. “I know.”

Beth wrestled with herself the entire journey home, replying to Nick’s light-hearted banter with curt yes’s or no’s, wondering whether she should invite him in. When he brought the car to a halt she stared up at her dark empty house and was decided.

“Do you want to come in for a coffee?” she said.

Nick was pleased. He’d thought her terse manner meant she wanted to keep him at a distance. He turned in his seat to face her. “Are you sure? I thought you said…”

“I meant as a friend.”

“Oh, okay.”

Beth wondered what on earth she was doing. Inviting him in would only lead to more, she could feel it, it was what they both wanted. Her heart pounded as she unlocked the front door and they stepped inside. Instantly her spirits dampened as she was enveloped by the oppressive atmosphere in the house.

“Where are the kids?” asked Nick, walking in and closing the door.

“At my mum’s.”

There was an awkward moment while Nick digested the fact that she’d invited him in knowing they would be completely alone.

“Coffee or something stronger?” she said.

“What are you doing Beth?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. After what you said a couple of days ago you invite me into an empty house at night.”

“You can go if it makes you uncomfortable,” she said, insulted.

“I came because I wanted to, but don’t mess me about.”

“I just need a friend Nick.”

“You’ve got one.”

“Thanks.”

They stared at each other in silence until the kettle boiled.

“Right, coffee,” she smiled at him. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable in the living room?”

He thought this was a good idea because he was sorely tempted to kiss her again. Nick wasn’t usually one for getting close to women. He liked them, enjoyed their company, but once the deed was done he was out of there. But Beth was different. He couldn’t say exactly why but he found it hard to take his eyes off her, she lit up the room and she’d become very special to him. Now he found himself alone with her, the night stretching out before him like one long promise.